Has anyone had or nearly had an accident because of the blind spots in front on the front pillars? I have not had an accident, but I have been VERY surprised when going down a left curving hill and all of a sudden, there's a car coming up the hill that I couldn't see out of the front of the window. It has happened twice in my neighborhood and really surprised me. I find the driver's pillar is much more of a visual hinderance than the passenger side pillar.

This has concerned me so much, that I had thought about selling the car. Not because of me, but because my daughter is learning to drive in it, and the last thing a new driver needs are blinds spot, especially in front. However, with the car market being soft (especially the HHR re-sale value), there's no way I was going to take a 8 or 10 k loss on a year-old car. I'll just pray she doesn't get in a wreck because of it. Or, she'll have to learn to drive my wife's CR-v 5-speed. Thoughts...

 

Has never seemed to be a problem for me.

 

me neither...

 

Hmmmm. I hadn't noticed a real problem until you brought it up. One time, I cut a left turn real tight (ok, I went into the other lane, a lot) almost hit someone that i didn't notice at first. The answer to all my problems is to stay in my lane, and hope they don't swing out into my lane.

 

I've noticed it, but have adapted to it, by being more aware of things going on around me. I'm more concerned about other drivers who drive in a blissful state of ignorance of their surroundings and as if they're the only ones on the road.

 

My Director was given an HHR loaner while her truck was being repaired and she commented that that was her only complaint--the pillars.

I left a truck for the HHR and in the 9 months I've had Blackie, maybe only once have I not seen someone crossing the street. Maybe it's because I'm 5'1" and can see ok around everything including stop lights.

In essence, I've not had a problem with it, you get used to it and/or adapt to it. It's part of the car and there you go.

 

Yes it is a problem, both with other vehicles and especially with pedestrians in parking lots and crosswalks. I have had a couple of close calls, fortunately I have been going slow enough to stop or react.

Having said that, the other responses are correct, get use to it, adjust and drive accordingly or if an unacceptable concern, replace the vehicle. That decision should be based on the safety aspect, not on the economics, of the situation.

 

There is no way I would let a new driver drive my car! My 2 boys got a decent used car for their first one because Most new drivers will have a wreck before they are more aware of everything going on around them and I didnt want my vehicle to be the gpig. Add a cell phone to the picture and well you know what I mean. I told them if they wreck theirs, they would be walking not mom! Of course if I wreck mine, then I will be driving a rentacar. The pillars do get in the way but if I stay in my lane there shouldnt be a problem.

Seeburg look for a good used car and let her learn to drive before you let her loose in a new car. By all means teach her to drive a stick shift. I see too many people that cant drive a stick and you never know when the occasion might pop up in an emergency and her have to drive the stick. My boys learned in a stick and we had alot of laughs together on our Sunday drives to learn. jerkidy jerk jerk jerk. This was in a cow pasture and I had a blast telling the cows to look out ! here comes the jerk mobile. I would have a glass of wine before each session to keep my nerves settled. haha

 

Had a 05 Ram 1500 w/big pillars and it was terrible. Thought the HHR would be bad from all I read about that pillar but when I traded and got the HHR I didn't know what these people were complaining about since it was like day and night between the two vehicles. Don't even notice the pillar on the HHR.

 

I can't afford another car right now, so what we have, is what they'll learn to drive. I also don't plan on giving them a car, be it used or new. They can save towards one and I will help, but it won't be a free ride. Same goes with the insurance. This is not a black and white issue regarding the blind spots. It's a good, safe, car. It's easy to drive and I spent the extra money for as many airbags as they offered. I think she and I can adapt to the pillars, but to believe it's not an issue would be making a mistake. It's most definitely an issue, as I have witnessed it myself 2x. Go find a descending left curve and you'll see what I mean. There's a good few seconds in there, where you cannot see another car coming up the hill. As long as everyone plays by the rules and stays on their side, it's not an issue. But we all know how that goes. My neighbor was killed last year by someone who crossed over the line ( on a different road). Scary stuff...